Inkjet Recording Apparatus Bypass Path for Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in efficiently replacing conservation liquid with ink in the recording head while minimizing bubble inclusion, as existing systems require disconnecting and reconnecting supply and circulation paths, which can lead to leakage and soiling.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a bypass path that connects the supply and circulation paths, allowing ink to be filled into the supply unit without passing through the recording head, and a mechanism to switch between communicating and cut-off states, enabling efficient ink circulation and replacement of conservation liquid with ink without disconnecting the supply and circulation couplings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the supply path and circulation path are disconnected for filling ink, then the supply unit can be filled with ink, but leakage and soiling occur during disconnection and reconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass path is prepared in advance and can be opened to allow ink filling without disconnecting the supply coupling. This preliminary arrangement of the bypass path enables ink to be supplied to the recording head through the bypass during filling operations, preventing leakage and soiling that would occur with disconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass path acts as an intermediary route that allows ink to flow between the supply unit and recording head without requiring disconnection of the main supply coupling. This intermediary path enables filling operations while maintaining the integrity of the main connection, thus preventing leakage and soiling.
2Quantity of substance
If the conservation liquid is replaced by disconnecting couplings, then the liquid can be exchanged, but the internal cleanliness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass path is arranged in advance to enable liquid replacement operations. By opening the bypass path, conservation liquid can be replaced with ink through the bypass without disconnecting the supply coupling and circulation coupling, thus maintaining internal cleanliness while achieving liquid exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass path serves as an intermediary route for liquid replacement. It allows the conservation liquid to be flushed out and replaced with ink through a separate path that does not require disconnection of the main couplings, thereby preventing soiling while enabling complete liquid exchange.
3Quantity of substance
If the supply coupling and circulation coupling are disconnected, then ink can be filled into the supply unit, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass path is prepared in advance as part of the system structure. This preliminary arrangement allows ink filling to be performed simply by opening the bypass path without the time-consuming operations of disconnecting and reconnecting couplings, significantly reducing filling time while maintaining the ability to fill the supply unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass path provides an intermediary route that enables rapid ink filling operations. By using this pre-established path, the system avoids the time-consuming disconnection and reconnection steps, allowing quick filling of the supply unit while maintaining system integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording apparatus of the present disclosure includes a recording head, a supply unit, a supply path, and a circulation path. The supply unit supplies liquid to the recording head. The liquid passes through the supply path to be supplied from the supply unit to the recording head. The liquid passes through the circulation path to return from the recording head to the supply unit. The supply path is provided with a supply coupling, and the circulation path is provided with a circulation coupling. Such part of the supply path as is located on an upstream side with respect to the supply coupling and such part of the circulation path as is located on a downstream side with respect to the circulation coupling are connected to each other by the bypass path which is switchable between a communicating state and a cut-off state.